The Bellevue Fire Department announced on their Facebook page, two new Ladder trucks on order for their Light Force 3 and Light Force 7 companies from Pierce Manufacturing.

There was no estimated date of arrival listed.

We sent a request to see when they expect the Ladder Trucks to arrive and go into service.  In addition, we had asked if their former trucks will be sent to auction or donated/sold to another agency.

Bellevue (WA) Fire Ladder 3 at a small structure fire. [Photo Credit: LR Swenson]
Bellevue (WA) Fire Ladder 3 at a small structure fire in 2011. [Photo Credit: LR Swenson]
Great news for Bellevue Fire!  Congratulations on your rigs that are almost here.

WHAT IS A “LIGHT FORCE”?

Bellevue Fire Chief Pete Lucarelli who was a former City of Los Angeles FD Deputy Chieff throughout the 90’s, brought the “Light Force” concept to Washington State.

It is a combination of a 4-person ladder truck with a 1-person pumper. These apparatus comprise as one crew working together in unison resulting in a dedicated pump for the Ladder truck.

Bellevue Fire states as a result, “The Ladder always has a pump dedicated to it at structure fires, and can be effective in combating other types of fires such as vehicle fires, brush fires, and such.”

[c] 2015 The NW Fire Blog